It’s going to cost more than £12bn to repair all of Britain’s potholes, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance – making the Chancellor’s additional £200m contribution over the next financial year a mere drop in the ocean.
That the view of the Alliance, which says a much-needed long-term investment in roads is needed, estimating that the cost of repairing potholed local roads in England and Wales is £12.6 billion; roughly £61,700 for every mile of local road. In addition, recent analysis by the Local Government Association showed Government funding for maintaining England’s motorways and major A roads was 31 times higher per mile than for repairing local roads last year.
Thomas Edgcumbe, MD for Surfacing Solutions at Coalville-based Aggregate Industries, said: “It’s really encouraging to see that the Government is increasing the pothole fund, and it will of course go some way in enabling local councils to fill the worst offenders. However, it is just a fraction of the amount needed to ensure our local roads meet the standards that we require for long-term use.
“Potholes are symptomatic of poorly maintained roads and potential underlying structural issues. A long-term funding framework – as opposed to a reactive programme that allows local authorities to patch up parts of a road – will go a long way in preventing issues forming in the first place.
“Investing in long-term, low-carbon and sustainable solutions is crucial in improving the structural conditions of our roads and safeguarding them for future use. This includes making use of the latest advances in sustainable products and practices, including innovative asphalt solutions.”
Aggregate Industries works alongside its customers, including UK Government, National Highways and local authorities, across the UK to provide solutions for the long-term.
